Simon first discovered his passion for organising data when programming two library systems in his teens. Later he worked as a graduate trainee librarian at Trinity College Dublin before the growing role of the internet in the 1990s convinced him to study an MSc in Information Management.

Simon has worked on numerous website developments for many clients including online retailers, service providers, hospitals, website developers and trade unions. Simon has also designed and improved a number of internet based applications like knowledge management, legal casework management, membership systems, content management systems and electronic libraries.

One question he gets asked a lot is: what is Information Architecture?

Here are two of his favourite quotes describing IA:

“Information architecture is the structural design of shared information environments. It’s the combination of navigation, search, organisation and labelling behind a website, intranet or app.”

Or more simply:

“The art and science of organising websites.”

Still not sure? Well, in practical terms, it means doing things like this:

Creating wireframes – the digital version of a blueprint for websites and apps.